Page 16 - ZEB AnnualReport 2015

HOW SHOULD WE BUILD A LOW CARBON SOCIETY?

HVORDAN BYGGE ET LAVUTSLIPPSAMFUNN?

Ann Kristin Kvellheim (NTNU)

The building sector can play a signiicant zero emission buildings as innovation system. Not everyone agrees that zero emission
role in the green transformation that society Through this analysis, it is possible to identify buildings are a good idea, and several of my
is facing. EU aims to reduce greenhouse strengths and weaknesses in the system, and informants are interested in discussing the
gas emissions by 80-95 %, and the power results from the analysis may ease efforts to requirements for zero emission buildings. In
supply is to be fossil-free by 2050. To be dismantle targeted barriers. An innovation Norway, electricity generation is largely based
able to reach this goal, it is important that system is deined in different ways, but the on hydropower, and we are in the process
the building sector reduces its energy main point of the system understanding is to of building up a surplus which, if the transfer
use signiicantly, both in new and existing look into the context around the elements that capacity is not increased, will be “locked in”.
buildings. This is a major challenge, one that affect innovation. Here the interaction between We are therefore in a situation with a plentiful
requires the development and introduction institutions and the learning processes supply of clean and affordable hydropower,
of innovative solutions at a much faster pace are particularly important. Indicators that where leading players from industry are
than is currently taking place. Unfortunately, are analysed include human resource investing in different kinds of highly energy
the building sector is not known for being development and dissemination, market eficient buildings. They are even investing in
innovative and is struggling with a slow proliferation, innovation, legitimacy, and what zero emission buildings that produce energy.
re-education process and numerous is known as “guided search”. Through expert Currently, we are just talking about a few
complaints. How can it contribute to a green interviews with representatives from industry research projects, but many within the industry
transformation, and what changes are and government, I have surveyed which believe that these kinds of buildings will
required? factors will enable zero emission buildings constitute a large part of construction activity
to achieve a signiicant market share. The in the not too distant future. These actors are
Zero emission construction is an innovative following are some preliminary results from an getting involved, not necessarily just because
concept that has been developed through analysis that will be completed and published they feel the need to be socially responsible,
research by the ZEB centre. An important part in 2016. but because they want to gather expertise and
of my PhD research is a system analysis of establish a reputation as experts in the ield.

16 ZEB annual report 2015